COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, affecting more and more people; Therefore, intensive research is being carried out in the scientific arena to identify effective drugs for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Severe illness and death rates in COVID-19 are more common in older people and those with comorbidities. Increased oxidative stress in such individuals makes them more vulnerable to infectious agents such as coronavirus and other environmental stressors.
Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs as a result of the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body and/or the body's inability to adequately clear these reactive intermediates and adequately repair the resulting damage. Oxidative stress and inflammation caused by ROS are associated with age-related physical damage and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have concluded that ROS and oxidative stress increase the risk of serious illness and death in COVID-19 patients. It is known that the antioxidant capacity (capacity to scavenge ROS) of the individual plays an important role in the course of various viral diseases. In this context, the antioxidant defense system that protects against oxidative stress is a very important determinant in the defense against infectious agents.
Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide consisting of cysteine, glycine and glutamate. It is one of the most effective antioxidants that prevents oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species in cells. Glutathione also plays a role in regulating various metabolic pathways essential for the entire body. With the presence of sufficient glutathione within the cell, it plays a vital role in the control of various biological processes such as detoxification of foreign substances, protein structuring, renewal of vitamins C and E, maintenance of mitochondrial function, antiviral defense, regulation of cellular proliferation and immune response.
Endogenous glutathione. Its levels gradually decrease with aging, so that cells in the elderly become more susceptible to oxidative damage caused by viruses and different environmental factors compared to younger individuals. Again, endogenous glutathione deficiency is common in people with chronic diseases and in individuals with severe COVID-19. This situation is associated with decreased glut status in COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases. This means that athione levels contribute to the generation of oxidative stress and thus may be a factor exacerbating lung involvement. Cigarette smoke also depletes the cellular glutathione pool in the respiratory tract, exacerbating oxidative damage and inflammation in the lung.
In a study conducted in April 2020 in individuals infected with COVID-19, people with moderate and severe COVID-19 disease compared to those with mild disease. , plasma glutathione levels were lower and ROS levels were higher. This shows the importance of glutathione deficiency and oxidative stress effect in patients with serious disease symptoms.
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